Duke adjusts defense after linebacker’s injury

By Bob Sutton / Times-News

Published: Sunday, August 17, 2014 at 12:29 AM.

DURHAM — One of the first changes for Duke’s defense in the aftermath of a season-ending injury to standout linebacker Kelby Brown was to move the leading tackler in the Atlantic Coast Conference from a year ago into his position.

That’s David Helton, who switches spots in Duke’s defensive alignment from one linebacker role to another.

“David has performed well and been in the shadows because Kelby has been so great,” defensive coordinator Jim Knowles said. “We’re going to be OK. David will step up and he will assume that mantle. He understands the defense and understands the calls.”

The Blue Devils have been regrouping and reconfiguring since Brown suffered another torn knee ligament in Monday’s scrimmage. That resulted in surgery and potentially the end of Brown’s college career.

The preseason development gave the Blue Devils a chance to rework things on defense in advance of the opener Aug. 30 against visiting Elon.

“It’s a very emotional time for all of us,” Knowles said. “There certainly were shockwaves. You have to acknowledge that, which we did with the defense.

“You have to always have contingency in mind. It’s not something you like to talk about.”

Now, Duke is acting on those back-up plans.

Helton made 9.5 tackles per game in 2013, so he’s no newcomer to the operations.

“I try not to get caught up in the individual,” he said.

Duke coach David Cutcliffe said Helton has elevated his play in the past.

“He gets a lot of opportunities,” Cutcliffe said. “Just part of it. He has to make a lot of plays.”

With Helton moving from the weakside spot, there’s an opening that needs to be filled. Fifth-year senior C.J. France is one of the candidates, while redshirt freshman Chris Holmes and freshman Zavier Carmichael could land there as well.

Holmes moved from safety to linebacker during the offseason, so part of a transition for him was already in the works.

“He’s got all the tools,” Knowles said. “(He has) the size to be able to play up there.”

Safeties Jeremy Cash and Dwayne Norman might be called up to move into roles as linebackers. Cash had been a standout a year ago in the secondary.

“Jeremy Cash is a guy our entire defense looks to,” Knowles said.

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DURHAM — One of the first changes for Duke’s defense in the aftermath of a season-ending injury to standout linebacker Kelby Brown was to move the leading tackler in the Atlantic Coast Conference from a year ago into his position.

That’s David Helton, who switches spots in Duke’s defensive alignment from one linebacker role to another.

“David has performed well and been in the shadows because Kelby has been so great,” defensive coordinator Jim Knowles said. “We’re going to be OK. David will step up and he will assume that mantle. He understands the defense and understands the calls.”

The Blue Devils have been regrouping and reconfiguring since Brown suffered another torn knee ligament in Monday’s scrimmage. That resulted in surgery and potentially the end of Brown’s college career.

The preseason development gave the Blue Devils a chance to rework things on defense in advance of the opener Aug. 30 against visiting Elon.

“It’s a very emotional time for all of us,” Knowles said. “There certainly were shockwaves. You have to acknowledge that, which we did with the defense.

“You have to always have contingency in mind. It’s not something you like to talk about.”

Now, Duke is acting on those back-up plans.

Helton made 9.5 tackles per game in 2013, so he’s no newcomer to the operations.

“I try not to get caught up in the individual,” he said.

Duke coach David Cutcliffe said Helton has elevated his play in the past.

“He gets a lot of opportunities,” Cutcliffe said. “Just part of it. He has to make a lot of plays.”

With Helton moving from the weakside spot, there’s an opening that needs to be filled. Fifth-year senior C.J. France is one of the candidates, while redshirt freshman Chris Holmes and freshman Zavier Carmichael could land there as well.

Holmes moved from safety to linebacker during the offseason, so part of a transition for him was already in the works.

“He’s got all the tools,” Knowles said. “(He has) the size to be able to play up there.”

Safeties Jeremy Cash and Dwayne Norman might be called up to move into roles as linebackers. Cash had been a standout a year ago in the secondary.